UConn Football: Chatting With Byron Jones On A Special Day At NFL Combine

DESMOND CONNERThe Hartford Courant

What’s goin on?

I had a chance to speak with former UConn football cornerback and Captain Byron Jones before he boarded a plane back to Pensacola to continue his workouts for the upcoming NFL Draft.

As you know Jones, also of New Britain and St, Paul Catholic High in Bristol, had a record setting day at the NFL Combine today going 12 feet 3 inches in the broad jump not only a Combine record but believed to be a World Record also, which was 12-2.

“It was fun I was very happy I had the opportunity to go out there and compete,” Jones said. “ With the injury [he had shoulder surgery Oct.28] and just having a short amount of time to train I was able to bounce back pretty quickly. So I was very happy about that.”

Jones said what he did today have quite settled in.

“No, not really, I just wanted to jump farther than my PR in training. That was my main goal and I was able to accomplish that so I’m just enjoying the moment a little bit but it’s going to be short-lived.”

And yes, he was surprised.

“As soon as you jump you can see the measuring tape,” Jones said. “I was surprised .I didn’t think I’d get that far because my first jump was 11’5” and then I got coached up and said jump out instead of up. I did that and came up with a big number.”

Jones passed on the bench press not surprisingly with the shoulder deal. He also passed on the 40-yard dash.

“For me, it just wasn’t consistent enough, not to my liking,” he said. “I’m looking forward to running a really good time March 31 [Conn Pro Day] and go from there….Rehab and training or the 40. The job is not done yet.”

Oh, Jones had some special words for Conn football fans today as well: “Thank you for everything. Thank you for the support. We had a rough season but we always a good core of fans and I appreciate that, definitely.”